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Naomi Campbell to follow kabbalah?

May 13, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

New York, May 13 (ANI): Only two years ago Naomi Campbell compared kabbalah to Alcoholics Anonymous, but the supermodel is now reportedly meeting Madonna”s kabbalah mentor, Eitan Yardeni.

According to sources, Campbell met Yardeni at Manhattan”s Kabbalah Center shortly before flying to Europe with her Russian billionaire boyfriend, Vladimir Doronin, reports the New York Post.

In 2008 Campbell had criticised the sect, saying, “I knew about kabbalah before Madonna got involved. Kabbalah is not a religion, it”s a program. I don”t like to get hooked on things like that. It re minds me of AA, but just with differ ent words.

“They”ve got the same principles . . . I just believe in God. I am religious. I pray most days and do my thing. But each to their own.” (ANI)

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Sienna Miller turns to Kabbalah

May 10, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

London, May 10 (ANI): Sienna Miller seems to be following in the footsteps of pop diva Madonna – the actress is said to have turned to the Kabbalah religion.

Miller, 28, now wears the faith’s bracelet and attends meetings at the Kabbalah Centre in New York.

According to pals, Miller wants to learn more about the mystical Jewish belief.

“Sienna seems fascinated,” the Daily Star quoted a friend of the actress, as saying. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: Actress, Daily Star, faith, footsteps, Jewish Belief, kabbalah centre, London, Madonna, mystical, pals, pop diva, religion, Sienna Miller

Times Square case: Expert says Shahzad”s signature reveals hostility

May 6, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

New York, May 6 (ANI): Thirty-year-old Faisal Shahzad”s handwriting on a 2004 condo sale agreement unmasks him as a hostile, self-destructive, arrogant man, an expert has said.

The New York Daily News quotes forensic document examiner and author of “Handwriting Analysis 101” Bart Baggett, as saying: “He”s angry at everybody and he”s lashing out at the world.”

Baggett identified three “ticks” – tiny marks where the pen has dragged – that indicate aggression and hatred: at the top of the F, the bottom of the S and the end of the L in Faisal.

The one on the F is particularly telling because Shahzad”s handwriting has large “upper zones” that suggest an interest in philosophical ideals, religion and analysis, Baggett said.

The presence of the tick there, means Shahzad is angry at religion and ideology, he said.

Shahzad also signed only his first name, indicating pride. The excessive pen pressure he used shows determination, Baggett said. (ANI)

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Roman altar stones unearthed at Scottish cricket ground

April 24, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

London, Apr.25 (ANI): Roman altar stones dating back almost 2000 years have been found at a cricket pavilion in Musselburgh, East Lothian.

According to the BBC, the stones are being described as the most significant find of their kind in the past 100 years.

Renovations were planned at the pavilion but archaeologists had to survey the protected building before work could begin.

Their unearthing of the stones and other artefacts has postponed the planned developments on the pavilion.

George Findlater, senior inspector of ancient monuments at Historic Scotland, said: “The stones have carvings and quite possibly inscriptions which can have a wealth of information on them, a lot of data about the people and their religion at that time.” (ANI)

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Cine star Manisha Koirala unhappy over Nepal becoming a secular state

March 27, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Kathmandu (Nepal), Mar 27 (ANI): Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala has expressed displeasure over Nepal being declared a secular nation.

Manisha is the granddaughter of Nepal’s first elected Prime Minister B P Koirala.

Addressing a news conference here on Friday evening, Manisha said there was no need to change the Nepal’s Hindu nation status.

“Nepal never had any dispute over the issue of religion. There was no need to change the status of the Hindu state, as there was no problem in it. I don”t understand why a peaceful Hindu state Nepal was converted into a secular state,” Manisha said.

Commenting about reports of her marriage, Manisha said everyone would know when that happens.

“Something is brewing, well I don”t know, when it happens everybody will know. Okay, I will not say anything more,” she said.

Nepal became a secular state three years ago after a decade-long civil war with Maoists ended.(ANI)

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Music taking the place of religion, claims academic

March 25, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

London, March 25 (ANI): Music and DVDs are becoming the “spiritual disciplines” of the day and seem to be pushing off religion as the focus for public devotion, a leading academic has pointed out.

Dr Clive Marsh, of the University of Leicester, sought to determine the relationship between religion and popular culture for 15 years.

The expert compared “devoted” time spent on music, film watching and Internet to near forms of worship, adding people use music to explore the philosophical and ethical issues of the modern world.

He believes that online fan communities form “not just to talk about music, TV or film, but to reflect on how their listening and viewing habits inform their living and help them develop their philosophical, religious, political or ethical commitments”, The Telegraph reported.

He added: “You see lots of people listening to their iPods seemingly caught up in their own private worlds. I am interested in the ways in which people consume music – what are they doing with it?” (ANI)

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Dubai Lifts Ban on Restaurants That Cook With Alcohol

March 24, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

The Dubai municipality retracted a decision to ban restaurants from using alcohol in the preparation of dishes, Dubai newspaper The National reported Tuesday.

The liberal Gulf emirate announced Sunday it would enforce a 2003 law banning alcohol in food preparation, based on complaints from Muslim clients who were not warned that dishes in some restaurants contained alcohol.

But it now appears Dubai changed its mind.

Khaled Sharif al Awadhi, director of Dubai municipality’s food control department, said food containing alcohol could be served on condition it was segregated from other food and clearly labeled, The National reported.

“We have found violations where hotels are not clearly stating alcohol content in their food,” it quoted him as saying. Awadhi added that alcohol should be handled like other “non-halal products” such as pork.

The newspaper said chefs in Dubai, where restaurants in hotels with a license are allowed to serve alcohol, approached the municipality asking for a review of the decision, which they said threatened their industry.

Islam, the main religion the United Arab Emirates’ population, bans the production, sale and consumption of alcohol.

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Terrorists have no religion: Nitin Gadkari

March 23, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Mar 23 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari has said that a terrorist has no religion and can”t be classified as a Hindu or a Muslim.

“It is unfortunate that we identify people involved with certain terrorist activities according to their religious affiliations,” said Gadkari, adding that a terrorist has no caste, creed or religion.

Gadkari further said, “A god fearing Hindu will not kill an innocent Muslim and similarly, a god fearing Muslim will not kill an innocent Hindu, and if he is doing so, then he is a terrorist who does not belong to any religion.”

The BJP president on Monday stressed on the need for a modern idiom to articulate ”Hindutva” for the youth, adding that the Supreme Court”s 1995 description of Hindutva must be the standard.

“Hindutva cannot become any political party”s agenda. It was more a way of life,” said Gadkari.

The Supreme Court of India in a judgement ruled that ”no precise meaning can be ascribed to the terms ”Hindu”, ”Hindutva” and ”Hinduism”; and no meaning in the abstract can confine it to the narrow limits of religion alone, excluding the content of Indian culture and heritage.

The Court also ruled that ”Hindutva” is understood as a way of life or a state of mind and is not to be equated with or understood as religious Hindu fundamentalism. (ANI)

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OK to be gay – as long as character repents

March 23, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Filmmakers can depict homosexuals for the first time in Malaysia as long as they repent or even go straight in the end.

Strict censorship rules in the mostly Muslim country mean books and films are routinely banned or have scenes deleted that are deemed detrimental to moral values or religious sensitivities.

The new guidelines reverse a ban on scenes featuring homosexuality, Malaysian Film Producers Association president Ahmad Puad Onah says.

But there is a catch.

“We are now allowed to show these scenes,” he said, “as long as we portray good triumphing over evil and there is a lesson learnt in the film, such as from a gay [character] who turns into a [straight] man.

“Previously we are not allowed to show these at all.”

The new rules, he insists, will allow greater freedom of expression for filmmakers.

But kissing, undressing and obscenity scenes will still be banned.

“We can do almost anything now but we are urged to give due considerations on the film’s impact on certain areas like public order, religion, socio-culture elements and moral values.”

- AFP

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Tom Cruise’s cousin dodges Scientology question

March 22, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

New York, March 22 (ANI): It looks like Tom Cruise’s cousin William Mapother is apprehensive to talk about his belief in Scientology.

The ‘In The Bedroom’ star did not give a definite answer when asked, “Are you now a Scientologist?”

“I have kind of an unusual feeling about questions like that. On the one hand, I”m grateful that people are interested . . .” the New York Post quoted Mapother as saying.

He added: “At the same time . . . there”s kind of an ever-wavering boundary between the things I”m willing to talk about, and the things I”m not.

Referring to Cruise’s belief in the religion, he said: “And part of the reason that I find myself particularly cautious in this area is because of the things my cousin has been through.” (ANI)

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Government tinkers with sedition law

March 19, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland has introduced a range of amendments to Australia’s counter-terrorism laws, including one that renames the offence of sedition.

The changes also include giving police new powers to enter a place without a warrant if there is material that is a risk to public safety.

Mr McClelland says it is already an offence to urge force or violence against a group on the basis of race, religion, nationality or political opinion, if those actions would threaten national peace.

“The offence will also be expanded so that it applies to the urging of force or violence against an individual, not just a group,” he said.

“It covers the urging of force or violence even where the use of the force or violence does not threaten the peace, order and good government of the Commonwealth,” he said.

He says the changes help ensure the right balance in national security.

“The Government is confident that this package of reforms delivers strong laws that protect our safety whilst preserving the democratic rights that protect our freedoms,” he said.

“[It] helps prepare us for the complex national security challenges of the future.”

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Ludhiana hosts seminar on Sufism

September 20, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Ludhiana, Sep 19(ANI): Ludhiana recently played host to a national seminar on Sufism. This time, the theme was the influence of Sufism on modern times.

The Sahitaya Academy of New Delhi and the Punjab Sahitaya Academy organized the seminar.

The seminar also focused on the ‘pain of separation from God’ and intellectuals, poets and Sufi singers.

“Sufism says that God, whom a man looks for all over, is within him. And once he realizes this fact, he will be free of his ego and will find happiness,” said Vaasthe Mohi, a Sindhi poet from Ahmedabad.

While, Gulshan Majith, a poet from Jammu and Kashmir, said: “When God is everything, so what is the importance of religion and caste discrimination, this is the message of Sufism. Shaivaism, Buddhism and Sufism give same message to the world and consider this world as the manifestation of that supreme power and do not make a distinction with the other. There are no boundaries. Everybody in this world is equal for God.”

The participants also put forth the argument that many Punjabi poets make use of themes from popular Punjabi culture. r. Chandraprakash Deval, a poet from Rajasthan, said Sufism is the paramount method to fight terrorism.

“Sufism is the best way to fight terrorism. If the minds of people can be changed, they will start respecting other religions, humanity and the feeling of brotherhood and secularism will increase, terrorism will be finished then. So to fight terrorism it is important to popularize the way shown by Sufism, adopt and follow that way and spread the feeling of brotherhood,” Deval said.

Sufi singer Balbir Kaur, who also teaches singing at Guru Nanak College in Ludhiana, held the audience spellbound and she also highlighted that school students must be made aware of the great cultural heritage, traditional folk art and literature of the Sufi saints, to promote Punjabi language.

Associating Sufism with any one religion is against its very basic tenets. Underlining this basic fact, renowned Sufi singers Idrim Khan and Skakur Khan from Rajasthan sung the verses of Bulle Shah, Guru Nanak, Kabir and Sajjan Shah. By Karan Kapoor (ANI)

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Terrorism a by-product of Pak’s past mistakes: Zardari

September 19, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, Sep. 19 (ANI): President Asif Ali Zardari has revealed that extremism was a by-product of Pakistan’s past mistakes and was deliberately created during the 1980s.

He said the employment of a liberal policy encouraged religious fanaticism and achieved of certain strategic objectives of terror perpetrators.

“What we are witnessing today is the outcome of that policy of the 80′s and even earlier.The policy of using religious extremism as an instrument of war. We in Pakistan have paid a very heavy price for this policy,” The News quoted Zardari, as saying.

Addressing a gathering at London’s International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS), Zardari pointed out that militants and militancy were not created in a vacuum; they have been the product of a deliberate policy to fight the rival ideology.

The free world adopted a novel strategy that was based on the exploitation of religion to motivate Muslims around the world to wage jehad, he added.

Furthermore, Zardari pointed out that the strategy may have worked well but some serious mistakes were also made as the world abandoned Afghanistan in a hurry and no thought was given to its stability after the withdrawal of foreign forces.

“After the retreat of foreign forces, Afghanistan was abandoned and left at the mercy of the warlords and the jehadis…Pakistan has suffered more than others. For decades we had to host and continue to host millions of Afghan refugees,” he said. (ANI)

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Missing Hindu nurse’s parents’ pleas in Pak falling on deaf ears

September 19, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Karachi, Sep.18 (ANI): Family members of the Hindu nurse, Bano, who disappeared from Karachi last month under mysterious circumstances, have urged the government to step into the issue and direct the concerned authorities to pursue the matter seriously to find out her whereabouts.

Bano’s uncle and the head of the Hindu Maheshwari community, Narain Das feared that her niece could have been killed or forced to convert her religion.

“The incidents of kidnapping our community girls’ have recently increased alarmingly and despite our repeated protests and approaches to the higher authorities, nothing has so far been done to protect the community members. Kidnappers have recently kidnapped several girls as young as thirteen and fourteen years old,” Das said.

The police has arrested Gulzar, who worked with Bano in the hospital, but failed to gather any substantial report regarding her whereabouts.

Gulzar has told officials that Bano has accepted Islam and married her boyfriend Jaffer, but Bano’s parents fear she has been murdered.

When enquired about the issue, Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs Dr Mohan Lal said he would look into matter and issue guidelines to concerned authorities.

“I would personally talk to the police authorities and will ensure her release as soon as possible,” The Daily Times quoted Lal, as saying. (ANI)

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Ancient book of Buddhism chantings found in Korean temple

September 17, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Seoul, September 16 (ANI): Archaeologists have uncovered an ancient Chinese book of Buddhism chantings in a Korean temple.

According to a report in Korea Times, the Hangeul copy of an ancient Chinese book, which contains the notes of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) scholar Kim Si-seup, was discovered at Baekryunam, Haein Temple.

The book was originally written by a Buddhist master from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and dates back to the 16th century.

“We discovered the ‘shiphyeondam eonhaebon’ while we were examining the library of Ven. Seong Cheol (1912-1993) at Baekryunam, Haein Temple, in April this year,” Ven. Won Taek said at a press conference at the Jogye Order, northern Seoul.

“It’s a rare book ? perhaps even the only copy ? that is not included in the Natural Treasures list nor on the lists of national libraries and university libraries,” he said.

An eonhae copy, or eonhaebon, is a book or writing that contains the literal translation of a sentence in Chinese to Hangeul, or Korean.

It is different from the normal translation books as it features a word-for-word translation, and is far removed from the Hangeul sentences used today.

‘Shiphyeondam’ refers to the 10 songs and poems made to praise Buddha’s teachings, written by Tang Dynasty Buddhist master Dongan Sangchal of the Jodong Order of Zen Buddhism, a sect of the religion in China.

The songs are comprised of seven Chinese characters and contain the traditions and the practices of the Jodong Order.

Ven. Won Taek explained that the discovery was meaningful as the book was from the 16th century. Most of the eonhaebons known today are from the 15th century.

“We found many precious ancient books and eonhaebons while examining the library and we will apply these artifacts as Natural Treasures after examining the value of them. We will also make photo prints of the eonhaebons for ancient hangeul and writing experts to use them as research material,” he said. (ANI)

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Miscreants attacks church in Bangalore

September 10, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Bangalore, Sep 10 (ANI): Some unidentified miscreants attacked the St. Francis de Sales Church in Hebbagudi on Hosur road in the outskirts of Bangalore, breaking over 10 window glasses and destroying the statues of Mother Mary and Jesus Christ in the early hours of Thursday.

According to sources, about 25 miscreants forcefully entered the St. Francis Church that was spread over two acres of land, at around 3.a.m.

Thousands of people gathered in the church premises after learning about the incident.

“We want justice from the government and the concerned authorities, so that no Indian citizen can hound the freedom to practice one’s own religion and everybody can live safely and securely. We want the security. These unwanted elements should not go on spoiling the peace and security of Indian citizens,” said Father Aronnis, Chief Priest of St. Francis De Sales Church.

The protesters also stalled the traffic on Hosur – Bangalore high way. After the mediation of Superintendent of Police (Bangalore Rural) Dr. Mahesh, and the BJP MLA of Anekal constituency, Narayanswamy, the agitators allowed the traffic to flow.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Chief R.V.Deshpande critisied the state government for failing to give protection to minority community and demanded for an investigation by the Cops of Detectives (CoD) over the incident.

The Bangalore Rural Police have registered a case based on the complaint given by the church authorities and conducting the investigations (ANI)

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Angry Hindus in Karachi demand safe return of missing nurse

September 10, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Karachi, Sep.9 (ANI): Dozens of Hindus protested outside the Karachi Press Club demanding the safe return of a Hindu nurse, Bano, who went missing nearly three weeks ago.

People belonging to Maheshwari community protested outside the club carrying placards and banners and shouting slogans blaming police for Bano’s mysterious disappearance.

“Though the police have registered a case, nothing has been done for her return so far,” they said.

The elders of the community feared that Bano, who worked in a private hospital, might have been killed or forced to convert her religion.

One of the elders, Narain told the media persons that Bano had an altercation with the hospital administration just before she disappeared.

Angry agitators demanded that the government and concerned authorities ensure the safe release and return of Bano.

Forced conversion of Hindu women is not a new phenomenon in Sindh province as several such cases have been reported across the region in the past too, The Daily Times reported. (ANI)

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Malaysian Indian Congress Youth demands apology on ‘cow head’ issue statement

September 6, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Kuala Lumpur, Sep. 6 (ANI): The Malaysian Indian Congress Youth has asked Selangor Mentri Besar Dr Mohammad Khir Toyo to apologize for his comments on the “cow head” incident, which, they said, has hurt Hindu sentiments.

“He must immediately retract his statement and issue a public apology,” The Star Online quoted MIC leader S. Subramaniam, as saying.

Subramaniam expressed shock at Toy’s statement that he was “not a religion-conscious person.”

Subramaniam warned Toy that his comments could further damage Barisan Nasional’s image.

Subramaniam, accompanied by several supporters, also lodged a police report on the matter at the Sentul police station. police spokesman confirmed receiving both police reports. (ANI)

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Britain reassures Pakistan 1.08 million dollars as humanitarian aid

August 29, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, Aug.29 (ANI): Britain has reassured Pakistan to provide it 1.08 million dollars as humanitarian aid to help the troubled nation stabilise and counter insurgency in its lawless trouble areas.

During his meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari, who is on a visit to Britain, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said UK is pledged to provide financial aid to Islamabad to help it succeed against the extremists.

“The Prime Minister and the President agreed to tackle the underlying causes of extremism. Brown reiterated our support for Pakistan’s efforts and repeated the UK’s commitment for 665 million pounds over four years. Our development programme in Pakistan is our second largest in the world. We aim to spend around half of this in critical border areas,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.

During the meeting, Brown asked Zardari to ensure that the aid for the region was being spent exactly for the purpose it being allotted, The Dawn reports.

Meanwhile, Interior Advisor Rehman Malik has asked Britain to ‘do more’ to help Islamabad fight extremism effectively.

“Now we say: do more for us. Do more to fight terrorism in the world because we think the terrorists do not have any religion or any boundary,” Malik told media persons after the meeting. (ANI)

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Pak announces governing body of Baba Guru Nanak International University

August 29, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Amritsar. Aug.28 (ANI): In a step to give shape to a proposed Baba Guru Nanak International University (BGNIU) the Government of Pakistan has announced the name of its members of the governing committee for project management unit on Friday.

The first meeting of the governing committee is likely to be held in Islamabad in September this year. The Chairman of the PETPB would head the Committee.

The then Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz assured a delegation of the Sikh Diaspora headed by Dr. Pritpal Singh, convener American Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (AGPC), to set up set up a university on Sikh religion and culture at Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak.

Besides the chairman of PETPB, Mian Imran Masood as a executive director, Zafer Saeed Padhiar, MNA, Rai Shah Jehan Bhatti, MPA, President PSGPC, Dr. Pritpal Singh, USA, Manmohan Singh, UK, Azhar Ehsan Advocate, Tahir Azam, Faqir Syed Saif Uddin, Sham Singh Former president PSGPC, Bishan Singh and Mastan Singh are the members of the committee.

In 2007, in a meeting with heads of the various Sikhs organizations, including Avtar Singh Makkar, president of SGPC, PS Sarna the president of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Managemnet Committee (DGGMC) and Bishan Singh President of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee were asured by PETPB Chairman that the proposed university would have the best architecture, curricula and research center on Sikh and other religion and culture.

It is pertinent to mention that none of the members was taken from India, neither from the SGPC, the premier body of the Sikhs or from DSGMC. However, DSGMC chief Sarna said: “I am happy that the work is on progress to build the University and it makes no difference to me whether they have not gave any representation in the committee.”

He said that whatever duties they give us we will do voluntarily.

Makkar registered his anguish and said that it is unfortunate that PETPB has not given any representation to the SGPC in the governing body.

He said that the SGPC not only represents Sikhs living in India, but also embodies all Sikhs living around the world and that includes Pakistan. He said that without the representation of the SGPC the governing committee could not be called a complete body.

According to sources, the university would be constructed in 2500 acres of land in Nankana Sahib. The foundation stone of the university would be laid in the month of September or November this year.

Talking to ANI, Dr. Pritpal Singh said that the AGPC would bear all the expenses occur on establishing the course related to Gurmat Sangeet facility.

He said that we would invite scholars from all over the world to join the university. It will be planned University that to be modelled on the great universities of Oxford and Cambridge and te University will allow to get Admissions for the Students of all over the world. By Ravinder Singh Robin (ANI)

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